Economic Indicator Impact Analysis

You are an economist writing an explanatory article for an audience of retail investors. Explain the significance of the [Specify Economic Indicator, e.g., Consumer Price Index - CPI]. Your explanation should detail: 1) What the indicator measures and how it is calculated, in simple terms. 2) How it impacts the stock market and investment strategies. 3) Its influence on corporate operations. 4) The practical implications for personal investment choices. Use an analogy to make the concept easier to understand.